Macro Outlook: Westpac expects uneven recovery in New Zealand—GDP 2.1% in 2026 and 3% in 2027—with unemployment easing to 4.9%, but warns hiring stays sluggish and inflation pressure remains high as the OCR may need to move beyond the RBNZ’s neutral view. Energy & Cost of Living: A new UK energy bill rise is set to push costs to the highest level in three years, with debate intensifying over how Net Zero levies and grid reliance are feeding higher household bills. Corporate Deals: Enbridge agreed to buy Salt Creek Midstream’s Delaware Basin crude gathering business for $600M cash, adding ~800 km of infrastructure and boosting its Permian footprint. Regulation & Markets: The U.S. economy grew at a 1.5% pace in Q2, but consumer spending held up at 3.4% as imports cut the headline number; separately, Nasdaq flagged Atlantic American for delayed filings, though trading isn’t immediately affected. Business & Community: Rotorua Airport moved closer to a long-planned business park after lodging consent for earthworks; in the U.S., a theft case in Paducah targets a cabinet/flooring owner accused of taking ~$45,300 from customers for undelivered work. Tech & AI Adoption: Dispatchly launched “Dispatchly Rescue,” offering 12 months free to eligible home-service firms switching from Jobber, aiming to consolidate front office and field operations. Fraud & Compliance: A major social media settlement is shifting the conversation toward how payouts should fund youth-focused repairs, not just accountability.